Eagles Charge Past Colonels

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.- Gracie Stauffer (Loysville, Pa./West Perry) led the Juniata College women's basketball team to a resounding 77-44 victory at Wilkes, Saturday afternoon.

Stauffer had 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and four blocks off the bench. Dani Atkinson (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) had eight points seven rebounds and three steals while Rachael Anstine (York, Pa./Dallastown) had eight points, four rebounds and two steals. Carmella Bickel (Elysburg, Pa./Lourdes Regional) and Suzy Badorf-England (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg High) each added eight points and four rebounds off the bench.   

Juniata trailed Wilkes, 5-4, in the first four minutes of the game. Atkinson made a three, Anstine grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it in before Stauffer scored on a put back of her own to make it 11-5. The Eagles closed the half on a 14-5 run as they led 19-9 after one.  

Balanced scoring saw the Eagles expand their lead as eight players scored in the second quarter. Juniata led 41-23 at half.

The Eagles continued to dominate the second half, outscoring the Colonels 36-21 on their way to a 77-44 win.

JC dominated the hosts on the glass, 58-37, scored 40 points in the paint and scored 32 points off turnovers. Juniata also received a massive boost from their bench, as they outscored the Wilkes reserves 56-13.

Juniata's 8-0 start is their best since the 2011-2012 season. 

The Eagles will return action at home against La Roche Monday the 18. Tip off is at 5:00.